Pretty Green

The lyrics describe money as a constant part of everyday life. The speaker uses it for entertainment, such as a fruit machine and jukebox, and for basic needs like food and water. The repeated refrain turns these ordinary actions into a broader, frustrated claim: in this society, having money seems necessary to do almost anything.

“Pretty green” is a playful name for money, likely referring to the color of banknotes. The pocket suggests money as something personal and immediately useful, while the man behind the counter represents everyday buying and selling. The line about power being measured “by the pound or the fist” links two kinds of power: wealth and physical force. The speaker says this is something learned through experience, not taught at school.

The tone is catchy and light on the surface, but the message is more critical. The speaker may be mocking a system where money seems to control access to both pleasure and necessities. The reference to force complicates the picture: power may come from money, physical strength, or both. The lyrics do not offer a solution, and their repeated, simple phrases can sound either matter-of-fact or deliberately ironic.